2022 Kia EV6 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle with a sporty and svelte design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It appeared lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a hipped look similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its blade-sharp appearance. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX maintained a modern and sporty design with its sharp character lines and angular features. The RX 350 F Sport test vehicle, in Nebula Gray Pearl, showcased the aggressive styling that set it apart from competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The F Sport trim added 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, delivered impressive performance. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled corners with ease. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6's regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by the available charging infrastructure.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with acceleration feeling sluggish and the engine note more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder. The F Sport Handling package included adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The standard two-row Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row RX 350L offered a 2/3/2 seating configuration, but cargo space was limited with all seats upright. The RX provided 16.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row model offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The power liftgate provided a wide opening, but the load-in height was high due to the large bumper. Thoughtful interior features included a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, wireless charging, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The EV6 featured Highway Driving Assist (HDA) with lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree surround-view cameras and head-up display with augmented reality were impressive. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned within a cove on top of the center stack, creating access issues. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies but came equipped with impressive safety tech. Standard features included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.